Michelle Susan Hadley addresses the media after being cleared of all charges in a plot to frame her, after coming out of court in Fullerton, Calif., Monday, Jan. 9, 2017. Hadley has been exonerated of charges that she placed "rape fantasy" ads on Craigslist in order to get men to attack her ex-boyfriend's new wife. Prosecutors now say that it was the alleged victim in the case who was trying to frame her husband's ex by placing the malicious ads. (Jeff Gritchen/The Orange County Register via AP)
The Associated Press
SANTA ANA, Calif. (AP) - A Southern California woman has been exonerated of charges that she responded to "rape fantasy" ads on Craigslist in order to get men to attack her ex-boyfriend's new wife. Prosecutors now say that it was the alleged victim in the case who was trying to frame her husband's ex by responding to the ads.
Orange County District Attorney Tony Rackauckas announced Monday that charges will be dropped for 30-year-old Michelle Susan Hadley of Ontario, California, calling her "the innocent victim of a diabolical scheme."
Prosecutors instead have turned around and charged 31-year-old Angela Diaz of Arizona with kidnapping, false imprisonment and perjury. She was arrested in Phoenix on Friday and is awaiting extradition.
Court records show that the man who links the two women is an agent with the U.S. Marshals service.
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This story has been corrected to say that the woman was exonerated of responding to "rape fantasy" ads, not of placing them. It has also been corrected to show that Diaz's first name is Angela, not Michelle.
Michelle Susan Hadley, right, hugs Orange County District Attorney Chief of Staff Susan Kang Schroeder after being cleared of all charges in a complicated plot to frame her in Fullerton, Calif., Monday, Jan. 9, 2017. Hadley has been exonerated of charges that she placed "rape fantasy" ads on Craigslist in order to get men to attack her ex-boyfriend's new wife. Prosecutors now say that it was the alleged victim in the case who was trying to frame her husband's ex by placing the malicious ads. Her mother, Suzanne Hadley, is at left. (Jeff Gritchen/The Orange County Register via AP)
The Associated Press
Michelle Susan Hadley stands with her attorney, Michael Guisti, as they address the media after being cleared of all charges in a complicated plot to frame her in Fullerton, Calif., Monday, Jan. 9, 2017. Hadley has been exonerated of charges that she placed "rape fantasy" ads on Craigslist in order to get men to attack her ex-boyfriend's new wife. Prosecutors now say that it was the alleged victim in the case who was trying to frame her husband's ex by placing the malicious ads. Her mother, Suzanne Hadley, is at left. (Jeff Gritchen/The Orange County Register via AP)
The Associated Press
Michelle Susan Hadley exits court with her attorney, Michael Guisti, left, and her father, Michael Hadley, after being cleared of all charges in a plot to frame her in Fullerton, Calif., Monday, Jan. 9, 2017. Hadley has been exonerated of charges that she placed "rape fantasy" ads on Craigslist in order to get men to attack her ex-boyfriend's new wife. Prosecutors now say that it was the alleged victim in the case who was trying to frame her husband's ex by placing the malicious ads. (Jeff Gritchen/The Orange County Register via AP)
The Associated Press